23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 35: 4-7a
2. Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9, 9-10
3. James 2: 1-5
4. Mark Mark 7: 31-37

1. God arriving yet already here
• What do you need saving from in your life today?
• What sort of answers to your prayers has God given you?
• Has your prayer brought you any greater peace?
• Has your attitude regarding your circumstances changed?
• Has your heart quickened with new possibilities about how to respond?
• What sort of answers are you looking for?
• Is God cooperating?
2. Keeping faith
• What sort of a track record has God gotten in your life?
• Would you say that He's pretty dependable?  If so, what can you depend on Him for?
• How has that changed your attitude toward God over the years?
3. Having a heart for the down and out
• We instinctively feel drawn to the successful, healthy, self assured, but somehow Jesus always find Himself in the midst of the needy.
• Do you think it's because Jesus had more resources to give to others than we do?
• Or is it maybe that Jesus was intrinsically generous by nature?
• How can we become more generous?
• What are some of the dangers of that sort of generosity?
4. Bringing folks to Jesus
• When was the last time that you invited anyone to a Church gathering with you?
• Is it maybe because there isn't much there that would speak directly to felt needs of that person?
• Or maybe you're not sure of what sort of reception they would receive?
• Or maybe it's just hard to see yourself sharing that part of your life with them?
• What would have to change before you were more likely to bring others to Jesus?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What am I doing to encourage the weak of heart in my circle of friends?
2. Is there anyone in my life that I could/should be comforting?
3. Am I willing to embrace those parts of myself that are not stunningly successful, rich in the ways of this world, or just unhealthy?
4. Am I willing to reach out to the voiceless?

I'm Sorry, We're Just Not That Group

I think that God scandalizes us for the entertainment value.

Years ago, when I was a youth,
We had a weekly prayer meeting.

Part of the program was testimony.
A chance for folks to share.

Once, two young men came
With smiles as big as all of outdoors

They prayed and sang with the best of them
And when testimony time came

Well, they both lit up
And told the greatness of God.

Drugs had a grip on them
Both of them feared for their lives.

But God had rescued them
Brought them back, healed their relationships

And now they were spreading the word
And looking for anyone who needed encouragement.

We all looked at each other
Wondering what to make of these folks.

Our typical concerns were of a different nature:
Which college am I going to go to,

Should I take that position in another state,
Or stay here where the potential seems less?

Life and death struggles seemed so distant to us,
Hitting bottom was only something we heard about.

Or maybe we had more in common
Than any of us really knew.

All I know is that we thanked them kindly,
And hoped that we would not be so disturbed again.

As to how that impacted our little group?
I think after that we screened new people better.

Shalom!